Borrowing liberally from '70s disaster films like The Poseidon Adventure and The Towering Inferno, all that's missing in this thriller is an all-star cast. Sylvester Stallone is the only big name, playing Kit Latura, head of New York's Emergency Medical Services team until an incorrect decision cost him his job. A limo driver now, he's on the scene when an incredible explosion rocks an underwater tunnel linking Manhattan with New Jersey. A small group is trapped down below, and Latura is the only one qualified to attempt a rescue. After a harrowing trip through a series of exhaust fans that are slowed just briefly, he locates the frantic survivors. This mixed bag includes a struggling playwright (Amy Brenneman), an athletic and egotistical sporting goods tycoon (Viggo Mortensen), a tunnel cop (Stan Shaw), a dysfunctional family of three, a grieving older couple and some young prison inmates. Various crises are averted as Latura tries to find a route to safety, but there are also a few casualties. Special effects for the initial blast are quite impressive, but the remaining action in this film pales by comparison and most of the personalities aren't particularly memorable. Still, there are probably enough thrills in DAYLIGHT to make it an audience pleaser.

The underground devastation, caused when carjackers crash their stolen vehicle into trucks carrying explosive toxic waste, causes many deaths. We only see a few bodies after an immense fireball rips through the tunnel, however. Smaller disasters occur as the story progresses, with some injured or killed by the unstable setting. Considering their dire circumstances, Latura encourages the group to pray, saying if you don't, now would be a good time to start. An even subtler religious message emerges when a route to salvation is found behind a large crucifix, although no comment is made about this. We aren't spared the foul language, however, as the screenplay includes many crudities, profanities and obscenities. If not for this unnecessary dialogue, we might even be able to recommend DAYLIGHT.